The partnership between IWC and Porsche Design began in 1978 and would become one of the most influential collaborations in modern watchmaking. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the designer responsible for the original Porsche 911, approached watches with the same functional philosophy that informed his automotive work, favouring clarity, practicality and innovative materials over unnecessary decoration. The collaboration produced several remarkable timepieces, but perhaps none more significant than the Ocean diving watches introduced in 1983. Developed around the extensive use of titanium, a material still relatively uncommon in watchmaking at the time, the Ocean collection combined IWC's technical expertise with Porsche's uncompromising approach to industrial design. The result was a family of professional diving watches whose distinctive aesthetic remains remarkably contemporary more than four decades later.

The Ocean 500 ref. 3502 was the more compact companion to the celebrated Ocean 2000, offering the same design philosophy in a 34mm case with water resistance rated to 500 metres. Dating to approximately 1985, this example features the distinctive dark titanium finish known as TiCON, a surface treatment that IWC claimed offered hardness approximately ten times greater than untreated titanium. Particularly interesting are its early-production details, including a black dial signed only with the Porsche Design name and logo, without additional IWC branding, and a first-generation titanium bracelet. The watch is powered by the automatic calibre 3752, while its integrated bracelet and folding clasp preserve the seamless appearance characteristic of Porsche's original design. Combining unusual materials, technical capability and an exceptionally restrained aesthetic, the Ocean 500 represents an important chapter in the development of the modern titanium sports watch.

Watch is in overall near-mint condition. The titanium case shows some small surface marks and signs of careful wear. The case back retains very well-defined serial engravings. The dial and hands are in near-mint condition, with some spotting to the luminous material in the hands. The titanium bracelet shows a couple of fine surface scratches and negligible play between the links. The PD-signed clasp has a small surface mark. The bracelet is fitted with 25 links and fits approximately a 7¼” wrist. There are two spare links included.